As many as 500 additional personnel of eight Border Security Force (BSF) companies landed in Imphal airport in four different flights on Tuesday, sources said.
As per the sources, BSF personnel of 11 companies already arrived in Manipur on Monday. A total of 30 BSF companies are expected to be transported to Manipur as a part of the ongoing efforts to bring the law-and-order situation under control and restore normalcy in the state, the sources said.
Meanwhile, a high level team of the Home Ministry led by joint secretary Home Ashish Kumar has been camping in Imphal along with four other ministry officials.
Sources said, the ministry team is likely to visit the National Highway-37 (Imphal- Jiribam road) on Wednesday to take stock of the situation, and for possible rerouting of essential commodities on this highway.
Meanwhile, the Committee on Tribal Unity (COTU), Sadar-Hills Kangpokpi district on Sunday announced that the blockade on National Highway was temporarily suspended for seven days since June 5.
COTU stated in a release that the blockade was lifted as a goodwill gesture to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Kangpokpi district. A wide consultation was also held with various CSOs, village chiefs, youth leaders and women’s forum on several issues, it stated.
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However, only vehicles transporting essential commodities and medical supplies will be allowed to ply on the highway with the escort of the Central forces, it further stated. The timing for movement of trucks is limited between 10 am to 2 pm, it added.
This is done in support of the ‘Peace Mission’ of the Government of India to address the "Kuki Political" issue, it mentioned.
It may be mentioned that the residences of two COTU leaders were stormed by an enraged mob, during which one person was reportedly shot dead following the announcement to relax the blockade, as per sources. The house of one of the COTU leaders was burned down by the mob, the sources added.
